Tom Nixon’s back at NixonMcInnes. And Will McInnes has a new adventure.

By Will McInnes | Published: 1st October 2013

Cor. The ability to change and do it fast are a big part of the DNA at NixonMcInnes, but even for us this is quite a bit of exciting stuff to happen at once.

Here are the headlines:

Tom Nixon is back in the company day-to-day as founder, to guide the company in its purpose and provide his invaluable experienced hands-on support. (This was planned and happening before the next change emerged).

In mid-October I’ll be leaving NixonMcInnes as a full-time employee and starting a new adventure with Brandwatch as Global Chief Marketing Officer, based in New York City.

Max St John is stepping up as Managing Director to provide the impetus to get things done and take the company forwards.

And Jenni Lloyd continues in her strategic senior role as Director of Products & Services, designing creative, expert approaches for our clients.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, NixonMcInnes is going to accelerate its evolution as a consultancy, with a clear and renewed sense of purpose and mission, of which there will be more news soon…

NM is a company dedicated to testing and learning from new ways of working. It has evolved into a democratic company made up of a group of pretty empowered, smart and different individuals all committed to finding freedom and agency through their work.

As a company, we’ve done many different kinds of work, adapting and changing alongside the internet. From our beginnings as a local web design shop, we evolved into a national social media agency, then became a pioneering consultancy working with international clients to transform their organisations in the face of digital disruption.

It has been a massive journey – with up and downs along the way – but one in which we’ve all learnt tons about new and different ways to work together. Enough to fill a book and create a ground-breaking conference.

It is time for me to do something new – to stretch my wings, to take on a new challenge, and give others the chance to do the same.

NM has changed lots over the past 18 months, and me moving feels like the last part of a sequence, as the company moves increasingly into exciting new kinds of work with new kinds of clients. Looking ahead, the global scope of my new role, living and working in NYC, is hugely appealing (for a boy who still lives in his hometown), as is the opportunity to work in a product-focused environment, having spent 11 years tailoring services for clients.

On a personal note, as you might expect, my wife and kids are up for it too (well, the youngest is a bit reluctant at the moment). As a family we’re at a nice, mobile, portable stage: no nappies, and at the same time no teenage relationships or big exams to worry about. As a unit, we’re excited about a new adventure. Plus, Christmas in NYC! :-)

So that’s our news.

And it’s a big change for NixonMcInnes but part of something massively exciting – the next chapter in an evolving story of a company discovering itself and its purpose in the world. While my journey is taking me elsewhere, with Tom’s return and the rest of the team – most of whom have been with the company for years and are real homegrown talent – stepping up to lead it into its new future, I feel excited for them and what lies ahead.

Onwards!

A word from Tom:
I’m incredibly excited for Will as he sets off on his new adventure. We’ll miss him dearly and I’m so grateful for everything he’s created as a business partner, MD and friend. I couldn’t have created NixonMcInnes without him, and he’s left me and the team with a wonderful platform from which we’re planning an exciting new chapter of the company. He leaves on great terms with me and the team and I’m sure we’ll work together again one day. Good luck, Will!

NYC will love the will of Will, and visa versa. The world needs you all to be happy, and who you truly you. And we get to keep Tom! Sweet. Go forth and do good shizza. Happy landings and settlings. Much metta x

I’ve enjoyed observing NM develop and flourish since its beginning – having had the pleasure of knowing Will since Uni days in L’pool. I loved reading Culture Shock recently, with all its great ideas and values.

I wish all the very best to the NM team, Tom, Will and his family in these exciting times! Keep up the good work.

Blimey! That’s really exciting! Well done everyone. You must be so excited Will, I remember you talking about how great it would be to live somewhere like New York, so I’m really happy for you. Also happy for Brandwatch as I’m sure you’ll be bringing some great NM culture with you :)

Crumbs, what a shocker! Looking forward to having you on this side of the pond! Nothing can disrupt your entire life quite like moving a young family to another country, lemme know if I can be any help with that. Srsly.

And congrats Maxi, good to see a proper MD at the helm, ’bout time[*].

Fantastic news on all fronts – I’ve watched you both build NM into a fabulous business and have enjoyed and been inspired by doing it your way ALL the way.
Life really is a journey and you’re certainly living it and taking or making opportunities – I’m sure NYC and the Brandwatch challenge will be an absolute blast.

Hello. The NixonMcInnes brand has been retired. Don’t panic, many of the former team are now doing their thing in a variety of new, independent initiatives. Check them out below. NM is still the holding company for the Meaning conference.